Pakistan, April 22 -- A few months ago, smuggling was a keyword for government officials when the then caretaker setup launched a crackdown on the illegal trade, which casts a long shadow over the economy, draining billions of rupees from the national exchequer and distorting fair trade. When the new government took over, the issue was put to cold storage.

Now, we hear that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took up the issue at a high-level meeting and signalled a clear shift towards zero tolerance. His directives are bold and comprehensive. The immediate removal of officials implicated in smuggling sends a powerful message - corruption will not be tolerated. Inter- cooperation is crucial, and the emphasis on collaboration between different ...